Tim Tebow's Baseball Pursuits Supported by MLB Legends
Some have questioned Tim Tebow's decision to pursue a professional baseball career but MLB legends are speaking up to support the former NFL star's decision.
Last year, 29-year-old Tebow announced his baseball aspirations to the world which received mixed reactions. However, MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. doesn't see anything wrong with Tebow's headline making a switch from football to baseball.
"I'm fine with it. I mean, what has he done to not deserve an opportunity to be successful, on anything?" Griffey told Sports Illustrated. "He's never broken the law. He's gone out there, and he wants to try baseball. I mean, why not?"
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Another MLB Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken, also had his own thoughts on Tebow's baseball pursuits. When a TMZ reporter asked Ripkin about Tebow playing baseball, Ripken wished the baseball prospect luck.
"I haven't seen him play. It's going to be a hard road but he's athletic and he's played before," Ripken said. "I think baseball takes a little time to get back used to but I wish him luck."
When Tebow first announced his dream to pursue baseball, some spoke out against the idea, including Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Larry Bowa who questioned Tebow's respect for the game.
"Whoever's idea it is, they don't respect the game of baseball. It's a hard game," Bowa said in a Boston Globe report last year. "You don't come in at age 28 or 29. I'm not saying he's not a good athlete, but this is a hard game and there are a lot of good athletes in pro ball that never get to the big leagues."
However, Tebow has made it clear that his intentions for pursuing baseball are about a passion for the game that he's had since childhood.
"This isn't about publicity. It's definitely not about money," he told the press year. " I took a pay cut to do this. For me, you pursue what you love regardless of what else happens. If you fail or fall flat on your face, and that's the worst thing that can happen, it's OK."
Last week, The New York Mets sent Tebow to their Class-A affiliate team the Columbia Fireflies where he will work on his game in a full season club.
"Sending him to a full season club is what we hoped to be able to do," Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson said in a Newsday report. "And based on what he's done in spring training, and his whole body of work since last fall, we feel comfortable with him going to Columbia."
